MH-KA Language Dispute : The ongoing language dispute between Maharashtra and Karnataka has taken a new turn with the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) indefinitely suspending its bus services from Kolhapur to Karnataka. This decision comes in response to safety concerns following reported attacks on transport staff and escalating tensions in the border regions. (MH-KA Language Dispute)
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Recent Incidents and Official Response:
Maharashtra’s Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik reported that an MSRTC bus driver, Bhaskar Jadhav, was attacked and his face blackened while operating on the Bengaluru-Mumbai route in Karnataka’s Chitradurga district on Friday. MSRTC spokesperson Abhijit Bhosale confirmed the service suspension, emphasizing that the safety of passengers and staff remains the primary concern.
Belagavi Incident:
The situation intensified following an incident in Karnataka’s Belagavi district, where four individuals were arrested for allegedly assaulting a state transport bus conductor, Mahadevappa Mallappa Hukkeri. The conflict arose when Hukkeri allegedly refused to communicate with passengers in Marathi. Adding complexity to the situation, Hukkeri was subsequently booked under the POCSO Act for allegedly making derogatory remarks about a 14-year-old Marathi-speaking girl.
Conductor’s Account:
According to Hukkeri, who sustained minor injuries and was treated at the Belagavi Institute of Medical Sciences, the incident occurred when he requested a young passenger to communicate in Kannada. He claims that his inability to speak Marathi led to confrontation and eventual assault by a gathering crowd.
Law Enforcement Response:
Belagavi Police Commissioner Iada Martin Marbaniang confirmed the registration of a case against Hukkeri based on complaints from Marathi activists. The commissioner acknowledged the sensitive nature of the situation, particularly given Belagavi’s history of territorial disputes between the two states, and called for a thorough investigation and peaceful resolution.
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Protest and Counter-Protest:
The incident has sparked protests from both language groups. Pro-Kannada activists have gathered outside Marihal police station, protesting against the attack on Hukkeri and questioning the legitimacy of the case filed against him. The situation has highlighted the deep-rooted linguistic and cultural tensions in the border regions of both states.
Impact on Public Transportation:
The suspension of bus services has significantly impacted regular commuters and travelers between the two states. The MSRTC’s decision to halt operations will remain in effect until the Karnataka government addresses Maharashtra’s concerns about the safety of its transport staff and passengers.
The current situation underscores the complex nature of linguistic and cultural identity in India’s border regions, where state boundaries often intersect with language and cultural differences. Local authorities are working to maintain peace while addressing the grievances of both linguistic communities.
